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Connectors • Leaders • Mentors • Community Artists

“My community is definitely an evolving community. It’s definitely a community that’s growing, both population-wise and mentally. I think now with a lot of different community events or social organizations, it brings a lot of us together. All of those really bridge the gaps in our community and you network like crazy with everyone here.”
“Waxanu nahay jaaliyad kobcayso, haddey ahaan lahayad tiro iyo tayo ahaanba. Waxaa intaa dheer, shirarka joogtada ah si loo sahlo isku xirka bulshada iyo sare u qaadidda wacyigalinta qaybaha kala duwan ee bulshada.”

“We’re very passionate overall, but I think some of that passion is very much needed because when you’re passionate about something, you work very hard to accomplish that”
“Guud ahaan, waxanu nahay dad xasiloon oo imaankooda qabo taa ayaana noo horseeday runtii inaan dadaalno dabadeedna wax qabad dhab ah la nimaadno”

“Understanding is the biggest thing we can have. Understanding the line between me and understanding other cultures. Maybe just a little more accepting will go a long way and I think that’s just going to bring back hope.”
“Garasahadu waa deeq Alle bixiyo. Fahamka dhaqamada kale waa arrin loo baahanyahay arrintasina waqti dheer ayey u baahan tahay.”

“I like providing resources and being there for the family without taking all the credit. The way that I describe myself is I tend to give them the little extra push that they need.”
“Waxaan xiiseeyaa hagidda iyo inaan hagar la’aani taageero dadka, anigoon marnaba ku manno sheegan si ay dadaal dheeraad ahi u sameeyaan.”

“The idea of justice without mercy is not justice at all. The idea of allowing communities to be strong through the fundamentals of justice and equity have all been formed through my faith.”
“Fikradda ah cadaaladaan raxmad lahayn cadaaladi maaha. Diinta iyo imaanka xoogan oo kaliye, ayuunbaa cadaalad iyo sinaanba lagu gaari karaa.”

“For a person to seek knowledge, whether it’s of a good thing that he can do or a bad thing that he can avoid, God will make him easy a road to have it.”
“Qofka aqoon doonka ahi, waxaa haboon inuu u maro jid san sidaa buuna Alle ugu fududeeyaa hilideeda.”

“The things that makes us such a powerful community is our ability to make changes in so many different parts of the world [and] all of the different skills that we’re bringing to that.”
“Arrinta nasiinayso awoodda dheeraadka ahi, jaayliyad ahaan waa aqoonta iyo awoodda aah ku badali karno dunida. Xirfadaha kala duwan ee aan ku biirino dunida awgeed.”

“Respect all mankind, all human being, no matter which faith or which race they are from. Respect all religion and respect the elders, and of course, if you can, if you can help poor people, no matter what help.”
“Karaamee dadkoo dhan, diintuu iyo jinsiguu doonaba ha kayimaadee. Dabadeedna caawi danyarta intey doontaba ha ahaatee.”

“Often times we teach our girls and our women in general that it is all about the family, it’s all about doing stuff for others but we need to remind them, you need to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else…Girls can be doctors. They can help the world, they can help heal people.”
“Badanaaba, waxaannu barnaa hablahayaga oo kaliye ahmiyadda ballaaran ee uu reerka leeyahay hase yeeshe waa inaan sidoo kale, ku wacyi galinaa inay naftooda maareeyaan marka hore dabadeedna daryeelan dadka intiise kale.”

“I kind of just want to do it for the whole community, and make the whole community proud and have a voice for everyone else. I wanted to be … the bridge between law enforcement and the community.”
“Waxaan doonayaa inaan si hufan u matalo dadkeyga dabadeedna, ka shaqeeyo isfahan la aanta dhextaalo jaaliyadda iyo hayadaha u qaabilsan dhanka amaanka.”

“Independence [is]…being able to be a professional and be a part of the community and have a voice without having necessarily being a part of someone else’s identity.”
“Isku filnaashuhu, waa inuu qof yahay aqoonyahan hufan oo waxtar u leh dadka, isagoon marnaba lumin haybsoociisa nooleeyana sooyaalkiisa taariikheed.”

“I know a lot of people who were actually very intelligent who just didn’t have the right mentorship. They didn’t have people to look up to in a situation, and so they may have missed out on opportunities that they probably could have taken advantage of.”
“Waxaan garanayaa dad badan oo garaadkooda sareeyo hase yeeshee, aan helin qof wax u sheega. Sidaa darteed, waxay lumiyeen fursado badan oo ay heli lahayeen haddii la hagi lahaa.”

“[In diaspora] you’re not just confined to your own community. You get to see that world outlook. You see different cultures, you learn tolerance and respect, and you get to appreciate what the world has to offer.”
“Qurbaha, kuma koobnid jaaliyadada oo kaliye waxaad la falagaleysaa umadadha kale. Waxana kuu muqaynayo dhaqamada kale sido kale, waxad baranaysaa ixtiraamka iyo wanaaga arrin mudan bogaadinteeda.”

“We literally learned everything on our own. We’re product designers, and business is on the opposite end of the spectrum…there’s no deceit involved. We don’t try to undercut or try to get one over anyone.”
“Runtii, iskeen baan wax isu barnay. Inkastoo ay duruufaha naga xagliyeen misane, waxaanu ku dadaalna inaan iskeen wax uqabano, inagoon waxba hagranayn, cidna ku xadgudbaynin.”

“I educate beyond my capacity. My mom calls it miro dhaliso, which basically means I sow seeds. I cultivate them but they have the power and the means to grow.”
“Intii karaakeena ah, waxbaynu barnaa dadka. Taasooy hooyaday ugu yeerto guul u horseedi karto dadka lahaanshaha garaad sare iyo awood intaba.”






Ruth Smith
Muslim Neighbors
Interfaith Leaders of Greater Lafayette